Wednesday February 27, 2013, 9:19 am
As a faith leader, you see the devastating effects of poverty on your congregation and community: parents who work hard but whose children go to bed hungry; young men and women who feel they have no future. Your heart breaks along with God’s as you remember to care for the poor — a biblical call that is increasingly ignored by society.

Political maneuvers are once again threatening the most vulnerable. We must continue to form a Circle of Protection around programs that serve the “least of these.”

This week, Congress will allow huge, arbitrary cuts to programs addressing poverty, as if they were powerless to stop them or ignorant of their consequences. Sequestration represents the triumph of political self-interest over the common good. Given the current dysfunction in Washington, we must remind our nation’s leaders of the serious moral issues at stake and its negative consequences for millions of people across the country.

Together, we can show the world that faith leaders will not sit by while those in power ignore the cost of their games. Christians remember what politicians have forgotten: the poor matter.

Jim Wallis and other leaders sent a letter to decision-makers in Washington imploring them to end the economic brinksmanship and refocus on the common good.[1] For this call to be heeded, other faith leaders must speak out. Will you send the same message to your own representatives in Congress?

As pastors and faith leaders, we have a biblical call to care about people living in poverty. Severe and arbitrary budget cuts, known as sequestration, are about to happen because Washington refuses to act responsibly. This is the tragic triumph of political self-interest over the common good.

Sequestration is a visible attack on those we are called to love, and those in power need to see it as such. Join with Christian leaders all across the country to say that enough is enough.

Sign a letter to your elected officials today: Ask them to end the brinksmanship and focus on the common good. Your witness will ensure Washington can’t ignore those whom Jesus called “the least of these.”

Please note that to ensure that the entire country knows where the faith community stands on this issue, we plan to publicly release this statement and a list of those who have signed it in addition to sending a message to your elected officials. The full list of signatories is available at www.circleofprotection.us.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 12:12 pm
You are welcome Thomas. You cannot currently send a star to Thomas because you have done so within the last day.You cannot currently send a star to Sara because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 5:04 pm
You are welcome Terry and thanks for posting the link to the relevant video! You cannot currently send a star to Terry because you have done so within the last day.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 6:59 am
You are welcome John Emma and Ro.
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